The Growlers in Portland

About The Growlers

The Growlers are an Orange County indie rock band that emerged in the late 2000s with a sound that blends surf rock languor with garage rock grit. Built around Brooks Nielsen's deadpan vocals, they've developed a reputation for moody, hypnotic tracks that feel both detached and deeply felt. Their earlier work carried a stoned, coastal vibe—think lazy afternoons that suddenly snap into focus. Songs like 'City Club' showcased their ability to construct simple melodies that burrow into your head, while tracks like 'Artificial Light' demonstrated darker, more introspective leanings. The band has evolved beyond their initial Beach Goth aesthetic while maintaining the core appeal: songs that sound effortless but aren't, lyrics that reveal themselves slowly, and a general refusal to seem like they're trying too hard.

Their shows move at their own pace—no false energy, just a steady, almost hypnotic pull. Crowds tend to sway rather than thrash. Nielsen's delivery stays cool and measured even in intimate venues, which somehow makes songs hit harder. They're the band you watch rather than the band that demands your participation.

Known for City Club, Sunshine, Artificial Light, Floating, The One That Got Away

The Growlers in Portland News

• The Growlers Emerge With Extensive Setlist For First Performance in Six Years At Melbourne's Northcote Theatre (SHOW RECAP) Glide Magazine · Jan 22, 2026
• The Growlers announce "Beach Goth" tour BrooklynVegan · Jun 19, 2018
• The Growlers Announce Their Beach Goth Fall Tour Paste Magazine · Jun 19, 2018
• The Growlers Announce BEACH GOTH TOUR 2018 BroadwayWorld.com · Jun 19, 2018
• The Growlers Are Back and Haven’t Changed a Bit VICE · May 22, 2014

Live Music in Portland

Portland's got a soft spot for bands that refuse to be pinned down, and The Growlers fit that mold perfectly. The city's indie and alternative crowds have always leaned toward the experimental end of things, with venues and fans alike rewarding artists who blur genre lines. The Growlers' lo-fi sensibility and surf-damaged psych should find sympathetic ears here.

Portland road trip to see The Growlers?

Stay in the Pearl District or Nob Hill for walkability and the kind of quiet that lets you recover between shows. Eat at Canard, where the charcuterie and wine list are thoughtfully curated—it's the kind of place that respects both food and your time. Spend the afternoon at Powell's Books, the massive independent that justifies its reputation. Walk through Forest Park if the weather cooperates. Portland's best element is how it refuses to take itself too seriously while maintaining actual standards. That's worth the trip.